A blot on your escutcheon!

Outgoing Chancellor for Justice Allar Jõks has taken a swipe at the Riigikogu for sitting on their hands in regard to his proposal to remove all members of parliament from the boards of companies which the state has a financial interest in. It is not known whether their thumb twiddling has anything to do with the fact that many of them hold plum positions on the supervisory boards of many of the biggest corporations in Estonia.

"Just days before the 90th anniversary of our independence it is pathetic to see the political culture of our nation and its respect for the constitution reduced to the level of a spotty teenager," Jõks said, with a little embellishment from yours truly. "The fact that the majority of our parliamentarians continue to support a situation that flies in the face of the constitution is like them attending the Independence Day reception with a glaring great stain on their lapel."

http://www.postimees.ee/220208/esileht/siseuudised/313495.php

Tundkem Eesti riigi üle uhkust!

On the 16th anniversary of Estonia regaining its independence, president Toomas Hendrik Ilves is encouraging us all to be proud of our country. So for once I won't take any pot-shots at it. Here's what he said during an interview on Kuku radio this morning.

“There have been precious few moments in Estonia's recent history in which the entire nation has held its breath, all eyes on one room in one building,” he said. “But on the 19th and 20th of August 1991 it did. The nation awaited news from Toompea. They awaited a decision.”

“And you were there,” he continued, addressing those who took the courageous step of declaring independence from the Soviet Union. “You were the decision-makers. The situation you found yourselves in was clearer than clear, but at the same time an enormous burden to shoulder. You had no margin for error, but neither did you have a choice. You could not let the nation down: they had been awaiting such a moment for 51 long years.”

“I thank you for the decision you made - just as the people of Estonia thank you, and just as our children and grandchildren will thank you. I wish everyone a happy Independence Day!”